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Jun 3, 2015

Telangana- A Desi Outfit of the Travel Industry

Published in IndianMutinies.com
Telangana- A Desi Outfit of the Travel Industry

By ManjuLatha Kalanidhi

We all hate clichés in life. Then how come we embrace clichéd holidays and weekends with great glee. Beach sunsets, night safaris, waterfalls… haven’t we been there done that? How about busting the stereotype with a trip to an ancient temple on the banks of a riverbed, with or without the river? Suppose you could ditch the tea garden trip for one where you can trek the untamed wilderness, desi style? Why not a Biryani trail across 18 eating joints?

If you are ready to trade a mundane holiday into an offbeat one, Telangana – the shiny new inland state in south India is the one for you. Well, this state with ten districts may not boast of any coast, but it’s gotta what it takes to keep you engaged productively over the weekend or the vacation.

While you are here, expect to wipe your forehead sweat with a soft tissue every two hours, say no to a chai every 40 minutes, utter an ‘arre arre’ sympathetically every… Ready for this bumpy and exhilarating touristy ride across this newborn?

The state is taking its tourism seriously and as a first step, Yadagirigutta, abode of Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy will become what Tirupathi is to Andhra.

Why stop at seven when you can touch nine? The Yaadadri project promises to be a cluster of nine hills and the development plans include stepping up of statues representing 32 forms of Lord Narasimha Swamy on Yadagirigutta. On offer are six track approach roads, luxury valley view guesthouses, cable cars and more.

We give you a snapshot of ten districts and ten highlights. You take your pick.

Adilabad:
Indian mythology believes that Shakuntala (mother of emperor Bharatha) was an epitome of beauty. Kuntala waterfalls in Adilabad – 300 km from Hyderabad, in Neredigonda, is named after her and without doubt is among the most beautiful waterfalls in India. At a height of 147 feet, Kuntala is wild, ferocious and tempestuous waterfall which takes you into another world altogether. A great weekend getaway from Hyderabad, it is at its best between July to December.

Kuntala waterfalls Telangana

Adilabad also boasts of another unique temple. The Saraswathi temple is perhaps the only of the three or four in the world where the temple foyer is dotted with pre-schoolers. The world-famous Gyana Saraswathi temple at Basara is perhaps every lucky Telugu would have written his first ABCs. A five-hour drive from Hyderabad, don’t forget to take a dip in the mighty Godavari river.

Saraswati temple Basara Telangana

Karimnagar:
Vemulawada Shiva temple is perhaps the only one in the country which offers a unique boiled rice pooja (anna pooja) where cooked rice is offered to the God. For the whys and hows of it, watch National Geographic for the info or get there yourself.

Khammam:
Relive the most touching moment of Sita’s abduction and the way the heartless raven Ravana sever Jatayu’s wings at Parnashala, a lovely installation art form that gets you all moist eyed. Khammam also serves as a stopover in the Paapikondalu day tour. One can see the beautiful mountains of Paapi range circumambulated by the pristine waters of Godavari river. Take a day boat trip to the Paapi hills to experience the best of Khammam.

Papi Hills Telangana

Mahaboobnagar:
Let the neighing of the horses of the bygone era reverberate in your ears. Let the Her Majesty’s 2 pound heavy anklets take you back into another era, thanks to the famous Gadwal Sasthanam. Gadwal is also famous for handlooms. If you’re looking for an art and craft weekend, try this place.

Telangana
edak:
The Medak Cathedral is a magnificent structure that attracts crowds not just during Christmas or Lent but throughout the year. Without boring you with useless information of how tall the main pillar is etc, suffices to say it is Asia’s biggest church and a must-see for its Gothic Revival style architecture marked by decorative patterns, narrow, pointy lancet windows, ornate spires etc. The imported mosaic tiles and grey stone pillars are a treat to the eye.

Medak Church Telangana

Nalgonda:
You’ve played Candy Crush or High School Story on your smartphone. Can you laugh out loud and suspend yourself upside down on a banyan tree? Pillalamarri offers you the chance to embrace your childhood at this cluster of hundreds of banyan trees. Besides this, Nalgonda also boasts of the magnificent Bhongir fort. Trek it up and look back every 20 steps for breathtaking vistas of the nearby farms and Yadagirigutta, the divine abode of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. The fort atop the hill takes you back to at least 500 years back in time. Carry a soft drink, some water and some classic chips to celebrate reaching the top. Plan early morning treks for best experiences.

Nizamabad:
Bada Pahad is a dargah in the picturesque forests where you can shut up your boss. That is right. Shut up your boss or spouse or friend who talks too much by putting a symbolic lock and key combination to the God.

Bad pahad scenic view Telangana

Rangareddy:
Anantagiri Hills offers vistas of greenery that you can witness when you trek up the hill. It is here that you can see natural swings formed because of banyan tree crossings. edak:
The Medak Cathedral is a magnificent structure that attracts crowds not just during Christmas or Lent but throughout the year. Without boring you with useless information of how tall the main pillar is etc, suffices to say it is Asia’s biggest church and a must-see for its Gothic Revival style architecture marked by decorative patterns, narrow, pointy lancet windows, ornate spires etc. The imported mosaic tiles and grey stone pillars are a treat to the eye.

Medak Church Telangana

Nalgonda:
You’ve played Candy Crush or High School Story on your smartphone. Can you laugh out loud and suspend yourself upside down on a banyan tree? Pillalamarri offers you the chance to embrace your childhood at this cluster of hundreds of banyan trees. Besides this, Nalgonda also boasts of the magnificent Bhongir fort. Trek it up and look back every 20 steps for breathtaking vistas of the nearby farms and Yadagirigutta, the divine abode of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. The fort atop the hill takes you back to at least 500 years back in time. Carry a soft drink, some water and some classic chips to celebrate reaching the top. Plan early morning treks for best experiences.

Nizamabad:
Bada Pahad is a dargah in the picturesque forests where you can shut up your boss. That is right. Shut up your boss or spouse or friend who talks too much by putting a symbolic lock and key combination to the God.

Bada
pahad scenic view Telangana

Rangareddy:
Anantagiri Hills offers vistas of greenery that you can witness when you trek up the hill. It is here that you can see natural swings formed because of banyan tree crossings.